>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS IS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, GIANT PANDAS ARE BACK IN SAN DIEGO'S, UPDATE ON RETURN AND WHEN THEY WILL BE READY FOR GUESTS.

>>> A NEW BACKPACK, BMX AND MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDERS A SAFE PLACE TO RIDE.

THE CHALLENGE OF CONTINUING CARE, HEALTH EXPERTS TELL US ABOUT THE COMPLEXITIES FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOUSING INSECURE AFTER A HOSPITAL STAY.

>>> AN EMPTY LOT IS UP THE HEART OF A CONTENTIOUS DEBATE OVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

MOST SPEAKERS AT THIS WEEK'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING OPPOSED BUILDING HOUSING ON-SITE.

AS REPORTER TONYA SAYS, CONTINUE EXPLORING IT AS AN OPTION.

>> TO SUMMITS KNOWN AS THE MD CITY ON LOT OFF OF QUAIL GARDEN STRIPE IN ENCINITAS PICKET HAS A HISTORY OF DEBATE ABOUT THE CITY SHOULD USE THE .

>> WE ADVOCATE FOR A 100% AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: ROB AND LOIS ARE WITH KEYS FOR HOME, GROUP ADVOCATING FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY.

>> THIS -- THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AND KEEP THE WHEELS RUNNING IN ENCINITAS AND MAKE IT WHAT IT IS AND SERVE ENCINITAS AND HAVE TO GO HOME OUTSIDE OF ENCINITAS ARE THE PEOPLE WE WANT HERE.

>> THE CITY IS IN COMPLIANCE BUT WILL PUT THE CITY AHEAD OF THE HOUSING CRISIS.

THE PROPOSED OF THE DEVELOPMENT COULD HAVE 30 TO 45 UNITS AND COST UP TO $17 MILLION.

THE ESTIMATED CITY SUBSIDY IS UP TO $6 MILLION.

>> WE DON'T DENY THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE JUST THINKS THIS IS A BAD LOCATION AND AN EFFICIENT USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

>> RESIDENCE THINK THE BETTER SERVE AS A PARK.

THEY THINK WELL GARDENS DRIVE ALREADY HAVE SEVERAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORK AND ANOTHER IS NOT NEEDED EXPERIMENT THERE IS A NEED FOR PARK SPACE FOR ALL THESE RESIDENTS WHO WILL BE LIVING HERE THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL COME IN THE NEXT 4 TO 6 YEARS.

THIS IS A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> PEOPLE REPRESENTING BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE WERE HEARD IN WEDNESDAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE A VOTE ON WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD STUDY THE SITE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SPEAKERS OPPOSING THE PROJECT OUTNUMBERED THOSE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION FAILED.

THE MAYOR, TONY SAID, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NOT OFF THE TABLE FOR THE PARCEL.

>> I THINK WE WOULD ALL BENEFIT, COMMUNITY INCLUDED BY HAVING A CONVERSATION AND LOOKING, TAKING A DEEP DIVE INTO THESE NEW LAWS AND SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO ACHIEVE 45+ AFFORDABLE UNITS IN SOME OTHER WAY THAN DEVELOPING THE SITE.

THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THE SITE IS GOING TO GO AWAY AS A POTENTIAL HOUSING SITE.

>> STARTING A STUDY OF 30 TO 45 UNITS ON L7, IT COULD PROTECT THE SITE FROM A HIGHER DEVELOPMENT LATER ON PICK A SIMILAR MOTION WAS PASSED AND INCLUDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAWS AND DISCUSSION GROUPS OF THE SITE AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

A NEW TASK FORCE WILL ALSO BE INFORMED AND EXPLORE OTHER LOCATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE TASK FORCE WILL HAVE SIX MONTHS BEFORE RETURNING TO COUNSEL FOR THEIR FINDINGS.

KPBS IS.

>> TONYA HAS BEEN COVERING THE ISSUE EXTENSIVELY IN NORTH COUNTY.

HER STORIES INCLUDE A TWO-PART FEATURE ON GREENOCK RANCH AND VISTA.

A SALE COULD JEOPARDIZE AN IV FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS IN A DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECOVERY PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY ON KPBS.ORG EXTRACT VICTIMS OF FLOODS IN SAN DIEGO HAVE TO FIND A NEW PLACE TO SAY ON THEIR OWN TIME, FUNDING FOR THE LAUNCHING PROGRAM EXPIRED THIS MONTH.

METRO REPORTER, ANDREW BOWEN, SAID SOME ARE ALREADY FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS.

>> THIS IS MY SKINCARE.

WE ALL NEED SKINCARE.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY IS NOT CARRYING MUCH AS SHE CHECKS OUT OF HER FAMILY'S ROOM AT THE COMPANY AND IN CHULA VISTA.

SHE HAS BEEN STAYING HERE FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS.

ON JANUARY 22nd, SHE WAS HOME WITH HER GRANDMOTHER WHEN THE DOWNPOUR STARTED PICK THE FLOODWATERS STARTED RISING FAST.

SHE HAD TO FLEE WITH HER GRANDMOTHER TO HER NEIGHBOR'S ROOF BECKETT WAS TERRIFYING AND SHE HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH PTSD, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION.

IT IS HARD JUST LOOKING AT WHAT IS LEFT OF HER FAMILY HOME IN SOUTH CREST.

>> THE WALLS ARE BROKEN DOWN AND THAT IS ABOUT IT.

THERE IS NO DRYWALL PUT UP, IT IS JUST WHEN YOU EMPTY OUT YOUR WHOLE HOUSE.

IT STILL NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

MY MOTHER SET IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS HOUSING INSECURE BEFORE THE FLOODS, THE STRESS OF THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON HER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, SO SHE IS GOING TO BE COUCH SURFING WITH A FRIEND, 100 MILES NORTH IN ONTARIO WHILE SHE FIGURES OUT HER NEXT MOVE.

>> THIS WAS A GOOD HOME IN USA BUT I FEEL LIKE WE WEREN'T FULLY RESTED, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WHOSE FAMILY MEMBERS PASSED AWAY, THEY ARE STILL HAVING TO COPE WITH THAT.

>> THE COUNTY GOVERNMENTS $4.2 BILLION FOR HOTEL VOUCHERS ARE NOW SPENT.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL RECENTLY VOTED TO PROVIDE ANOTHER 3 MILLION AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS BY FACED WITH THE BRITTLE AND UNFORGIVING HOUSING MARKET, SOME ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS IS BACK >> OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM IS TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE AVOID HOMELESSNESS BY USING MONTHLY RENTAL SUBSIDIES BACK THEY ARE EXPANDING THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE A SECOND ROUND OF HOUSEHOLDS.

>> Reporter: LYNN SANCHEZ RETIRED SIX YEARS AGO AFTER DECADES AS A MESSINESS, HE FELT READY TO LIVE WITHIN HIS MEANS.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: HE LIVES IN A ONE- BEDROOM APARTMENT IN UNIVERSITY CITY.

HE STARTED PAYING $1700 A MONTH ON RENT THERE.

AT THE TIME, THE MEDIAN RENT FOR SAN DIEGO WAS 1950.

HE SPENDS $2700 ON RENT.

IN JUNE, THE MEDIAN RENT FOR A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT WAS $2350.

HE HAS CONSIDERED MOVING BUT SAYS THERE ARE MANY BETTER OPTIONS.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SANCHEZ IS ONE OF MORE THAN 200 PARTICIPANTS IN THE RENTAL SUBSIDY PILOT PROGRAM, MEANT TO HELP OLDER ADULTS, STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND CONNECT TO COUNTY BUSINESSES.

HE HAD TO ASK HIS DAUGHTER FOR HELP PAYING RENT, THIS SPRING, THE COUNTIES PROGRAM STARTED SENDING $500 DIRECTLY TO HIS LANDLORD EACH MONTH.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE COUNTY LAUNCH THE PROGRAM IN EARLY 2023.

IT IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 160 MORE HOUSEHOLDS.

PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT LEAST 55 YEARS OLD, PAY MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT, MEET AND INCOME THRESHOLD.

>> THE COST OF HOUSING CONTINUES TO SOAR AND MANY OF OUR SENIORS, EARLY ADULTS ARE LIVING ON LOW, FIXED INCOMES, SO WHAT WE FOUND IS THEY ARE HAVING TO CHOOSE OR ARE BEING FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING RENT, EATING, BUYING MEDICATION, AND THE DATA TELLS US THAT OLDER ADULTS ARE REPRESENTING THE FASTEST GROWING AGE GROUP, PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: NEARLY HALF OF ONE HOUSE EARLY -- OLDER ADULTS WERE SURVEYED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

GIMENEZ SAYS HOMELESSNESS CAN HAPPEN FOR LOTS OF REASON.

LOSING A SPOUSE MEANS A LOSS OF INCOME.

AND UNEXPECTED MEDICAL EVENT MIGHT BRING A HEFTY BILL WITH IT.

>> WITH PARTNERS OR SPOUSES, THEY WERE WORKING, AND THERE'S SOME KIND OF AN EVENT OR SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED.

>> RESEARCHERS SURVEYED THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS ADULTS IN THIS STATE IN 2021 AND 2022.

OVER AND OVER, THEY HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF FINANCIAL HELP COULD'VE KEPT THEM IN THEIR HOMES.

>> THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN 300 TO $500 A MONTH, HOW THEY GOT LIKE A ONE TIME PAYMENT OF 5000 TO $10,000 OR GOT SOMETHING LIKE A HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER, WHICH PAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 30% OF THE INCOME AND WHAT THE RENT COSTS, WHAT IF STABILIZED THINGS AND ALLOWED THEM TO NOT HAVE THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT INTERVENTION HELPS THOSE PEOPLE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT PAY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

>> IF THEY CAN ENTER SHELTER, THAT IS COSTLY PICKLE I DON'T GET IN.

AND OUT OF OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, HOSPITALS, NURSING HOME, THEY OTHERWISE COULD HAVE AVOIDED IT.

THE CHIEF OF THE MATTER IS IF WE DON'T SPEND THESE SMALL AMOUNTS OF MONEY, THEY ARE SPENDING IT ON THE BACK AND FOR BAD OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF RENTERS OVER 65 SPENT THE MAJORITY OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT.

SANCHEZ IS GETTING OTHER TYPES OF ASSISTANCE THAT PAY FOR FOOD AND CELL PHONE BILLS.

HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE BEEN ON THE WAITING LIST FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS FOR FOUR YEARS.

[ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, THE SUBSIDY PROGRAM IS HELPING HIM STAY IN HIS APARTMENT.

COUNTY STAFF WILL CONNECT HIM AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS WHAT SERVICES THEY QUALIFY FOR DURING THE 18 MONTH PROGRAM BUT HE SAYS WHEN IT ENDS, HE IS NOT SURE WHAT HE WILL DO NEXT.

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM, YOU CAN FILL OUT AN APPLICATION ONLINE.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN-DEPTH FEATURE REPORTING DONE BY THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

IT IS ALL AVAILABLE ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW CONTENT IS POSTED.

IT IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> WHEN YOU ARE RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, IT OFTEN MEANS MORE RECOVERY TIME AT HOME BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO PERMANENT HOUSING?

WHERE CAN THEY RECUPERATE?

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI SAYS THAT IS THE PROBLEM HOSPITALS ARE FACING IS THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PATIENTS THEY TREAT HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN FIVE YEARS.

>> I GOT DIVORCED, I GOT DEPRESSED AND I DIDN'T WANT TO STAY IN PHOENIX ANYMORE SO I FLIPPED A COIN AND LANDED IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: WHEN FRANK MOVED TO SAN DIEGO IN 2022, HE HAD NOWHERE TO STAY.

>> I CAME OFF MY GREYHOUND BUS AND SAW ALL THAT FENCE, I'M LIKE WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO?

I'M THINKING, I HAVE $100 LEFT IN MY POCKET.

I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO PHOENIX BUT I GAVE IT A CHANCE.

>> Reporter: NOW 59, HE SAYS HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH ALCOHOLISM.

>> I LOST MY JOB, MY HOUSE, MY CAR, MY DOG, I LOST THAT.

>> Reporter: HE FOUND SHELTER FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

IT WAS THERE HEALTH CENTER HE HAD PAIN IN HIS LEG CHECKED FOR THE FIRST TIME AND DISCOVERED HE HAD A TUMOR.

>> I HAVE HAD MAJOR SURGERY DONE ON MY LEG, WHICH THEY TOOK A TUMOR OUT THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL.

>> Reporter: AFTER SURGERY, HE NEEDED ADDITIONAL CARE.

MELODY THOMAS DIRECTS PATIENT CARE AND CASE MANAGEMENT AT SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL.

SHE WORKS TO FIND ON HOUSED PATIENTS RECUPERATIVE CARE.

SHE SAID WITHOUT A PLACE TO HEAL PROPERLY, THOSE REQUIRING ONGOING ATTENTION MAY FIND THEMSELVES BACK IN THE ER WITHIN DAYS.

>> IF YOU NEED TO RECUPERATE FROM THE HOSPITAL AND YOU ARE HOMELESS OR UN-SHELTERED, THAT IS AN OPTION, RECUPERATIVE CARE IS USUALLY A HIGHER MEDICAL NEAH BAY AND WHAT THEY CAN MANAGE AT A SHELTER BED.

>> Reporter: HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS OFTEN SEEK EMERGENCY CARE FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS BUT ARE RELEASED WHEN THEY ARE MEDICALLY CLEARED, EVEN IF THEY REQUIRE ONGOING CARE.

THOMAS SAYS LAST YEAR, FIVE SAN DIEGO HOSPITALS TREATED 22,227 HOMELESS PATIENTS.

THIS YEAR, THEY ARE ON TRACK TO DOUBLE THAT NUMBER.

STATE LAW REQUIRES HOSPITALS TO TRACK AND CREATE DISCHARGE PLANS FOR HOMELESS PATIENTS, CONNECTING THEM TO SHELTER OPTIONS.

THOMAS SAYS THE CHALLENGE IS A SHORTAGE OF BEDS AND DIFFICULTY ACCESSING RECUPERATIVE CARE PROGRAMS.

>> THAT PROCESS DOES VARY BASED ON MEDI-CAL.

HOW AND WHEN WE CAN GET AUTHORIZATION FOR THAT, YOU KNOW, SPECIFIC DAD, THEN DETERMINING THE TIMELINESS OF GETTING THE PATIENT INTO THE RECUPERATIVE CARE BED IS WHERE YOU MAY HAVE HEARD.

THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY IS.

>> Reporter: SOME PATIENTS WHO NEED RECUPERATIVE CARE MAY END UP BACK ON THE STREET BECAUSE THERE CAN BE A LOT BETWEEN WHEN A PATIENT IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND INSURANCE APPROVES A. THOMAS SAYS IT IS CHALLENGING TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED RECUPERATIVE CARE BUT DON'T GET A.

SOME PATIENTS GIVE UP DURING THE WAITING PROCESS.

OTHERS NEED IT, BUT REFUSE IT.

AFTER HIS SURGERY, HE RECOVERED IN THE RECUPERATIVE CARE PROGRAM I FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

THE PROGRAM HAS 28 BEDS IN PATIENTS ARE SUPPORTED BY ON- SITE NURSES.

JESSE CASEMENT CONNECTS CLIENTS TO SOCIAL SERVICES THAT FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFERENT TO HEAL IN A TENT OR A CANYON OR THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.

WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER SPACE LIKE THIS THAT NOT ONLY HELPS THEM WITH THEIR PHYSICAL HEALING BUT WHAT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND JUST THE RELIEF FROM KNOWING THEY ARE SAFE AND CAN HEAL THE WAY THEY NEED TO.

>> Reporter: HE RECORD.

-- INC.

IN A ROOM SHARED WITH JUST ONE OTHER PERSON.

>> I GOT A PIECE OF MINE EVERY NIGHT SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

I CAN HAVE TV, MY TABLET.

IT'S JUST VERY PEACEFUL.

>> Reporter: HE CAN WALK NOW AND USES A CANE ONLY FOR STABILITY.

AFTER COMPLETING THE 90 DAY PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE A SHORT TIME WE CAN WORK WITH THEM.

ARE CASE MANAGERS WORK VERY HARD TO HELP PEOPLE EXIT TO THE NEXT EIGHTH DESTINATION.

>> THEY ALSO HOPE WITH FINANCES AND HOUSING GOALS BECKY IS WAITING TO HEAR WHETHER HE HAS BEEN GRANTED HOUSING IN A CONVERTED HOTEL ROOM.

>> IT'S JUST A ROOM BUT IT'S ME BY MYSELF AND I DON'T NEED NOTHING MORE THAN THAT.

>> Reporter: HEIDI, KPBS NEWS.

CHECK THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAS A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE COMMISSION ON POLICE PRACTICES.

KPBS REPORTER SCOTT SAYS THIS IS A BIG STEP FOR THE OVERSIGHT BODY THAT IS STRUGGLED TO GET ITS FOOTING IN RECENT YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED PAUL PARKER AS THE NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION.

HE LAID OUT HIS PRIORITIES DURING THE COUNCIL MEETING.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST THIS COUNSEL TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AND INCREASE THE SAFETY TO BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: PARKER IS WELL KNOWN IN SAN DIEGO AS AN EXPERT IN POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

HE PREVIOUSLY LED THE CITIZEN LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD BUT RESIGNED IN FRUSTRATION EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY PUSHING FOR STRONGER SAFETY MEASURES IN COUNTY JAILS.

THEY PRAISED HIS QUALIFICATIONS AHEAD OF THE APPOINTMENT.

CARES COUNCILMAN RYALL.

>> HE IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED FOR THIS ROLE.

AS DEBTOR SKATED A STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND BUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST.

>> Reporter: IN 2020, VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED CREATING THE COMMISSION ON POLICE PRACTICES.

IT IS TASKED WITH REVIEWING COMPLAINTS AGAINST OFFICERS AND LANSING INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS BUT IT TOOK YEARS FOR THE COUNCIL TO APPOINT MEMBERS AND THE COMMISSION IS STILL WORKING OUT HOW THEY WILL INVESTIGATE OFFICERS.

SUPPORTERS BELIEVE PARKER'S APPOINTMENT WILL HELP FAST- TRACK THE COMMISSION'S OVERSIGHT WORK.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES DELIVERED RIGHT INTO YOUR INBOX.

>>> IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WANTS TO FORCES ARE THREATENING CALIFORNIA, FOLLOWING ARE WE HAVE RESOURCES TO COPE WITH SAN DIEGO'S HIGH COST OF LIVING IN A NEW LAKE PARK OPENS IN SAN MARCO SPEC WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY LATER.

>>> MAYOR TODD VISITED CHINA TO CELEBRATE A NEW GENERATION OF CHINA PANDAS COMING TO THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

VISITORS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL LATER THIS SUMMER TO SEE THE PANDA PAIR IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: THE TWO PANDAS ARE NAMED.

THEY WILL BE THE FIRST PANDAS TO ARRIVE IN THE U.S.

IN 21 YEARS.

ALREADY HAS A CONNECTION TO SAN DIEGO.

HIS MOTHER WAS BORN AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO IN 2007.

THE ZOO DESCRIBES AS A GENTLE AND WITTY AND TREMORS.

MEGAN ALLEN IS A VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION SCIENCE WITH THE SAN DIEGO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE.

SHE SAYS THEY WON'T BE VIEWABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL.

>> ONCE THE PANDAS ARRIVE, THEY WILL BEGIN IN ACCLIMATION PERIOD.

THAT PERIOD WILL TELL US HOW THEY ARE DOING, HOW THEY ARE SETTLING IN AND WE WILL SHARON OPENING DAY WITH THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: THE ZOO HAS RENOVATED THE HABITAT FOR NEAR RESONANCE.

MEDICAL STRUCTURES IN A HILLSIDE WERE INSPIRED BY THE PANDAS MOUNTAIN HABITAT IN CHINA.

>> HER HABITAT HAS GONE THROUGH AN ABSOLUTE TRANSFORMATION.

THE SIZE OF THE HABITAT HAS QUADRUPLED, IT IS AN ALARMIST AND WE HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES THAT WILL MAKE FOR A VERY EXCITING AND ENGAGING HABITAT FOR THE GIANT PANDAS.

>> Reporter: THE ZOO SAYS THE DECADES LONG PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHINA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION HAS IMPROVED STATUS FROM ENDANGERED TO VULNERABLE.

A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE NATIONAL ZOO TOLD NPR EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 1900 PANDAS IN THE WILD AND 800 ENSUES.

KATIE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS NOT JUST THE ZOO AND THEN NEWS THIS WEEK.

SEAWORLD CELEBRATED A YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO BRING A GREEN SEA TURTLE BACK TO HEALTH AFTER SHE WAS FOUND IN FLOATING IN SAN DIEGO BAY.

THE CELEBRATION AS GIGI RETURNED HOME.

>> Reporter: GIGI WAS RELEASED AT THE AGE OF SAN DIEGO BAY BY SEAWORLD STAFF, WHO CARRIED HER IN A SLING AND SHE WASTED NO TIME GETTING INTO THE WATER.

THE DAY IS GIGI'S OLD HOME.

>> WE CHOSE THIS LOCATION BECAUSE THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO WHERE WE RESCUED HER.

>> Reporter: JENNY SMITH WITH SEAWORLD RESCUE POINTS OUT GIGI IS MISSING HER LEFT FRIEND FLIPPER BUT SHE CAN STILL NAVIGATE JUST FINE.

SHE WAS RESCUED BY A MARINE BIOLOGIST BECAUSE SHE WAS FLOATING ON THE SURFACE IN A WAY THAT LOOKED LIKE TROUBLE.

>> SHE WAS VERY BORING AND SEA TURTLES NEED TO DIVE TO FIND THEIR FOOD SOURCE, SO WE TOOK HER IN FOR X-RAYS.

WE TOOK HER IN FOR A CT SCAN AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO AND WE FOUND SHE WAS JUST GASSY.

>> A GAS THAT WAS TRAPPED IN HER INTESTINAL TRACT WAS CAUSING HER BUOYANCY AND MAKING IT HARD TO DIVE.

AND SEVERAL METHODS OF TREATMENT, WHICH INCLUDED TAKING HER FOR A DRIVE ON A BUMPY ROAD.

SEAWORLD HAS THREE OTHER SEA TURTLES NOW IN THEIR CARE.

ONE FROM SAN DIEGO BAY AND TWO THAT LIVED IN THE OPEN SEA.

SEAWORLD NICK SAYS AILING SEA TURTLES THAT ARE BEACHED OFF THE COAST OF OREGON SOMETIMES END UP AT SEAWORLD.

>> THERE IS ACTUALLY REALLY COOL PROGRAM CALLED TURTLES FIGHT TOO.

AT THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE, THEY ACTUALLY LOAD TURTLES ONTO AIRCRAFT AND FLY THEM TO PLACES THEY NEED TO GO.

THEY FLY THEM DOWN HERE TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM REHABILITATION AND CARE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO BAY IS HOME TO A POPULATION OF ABOUT 60 GREEN SEA TURTLES AND TODAY, ONE OF THEM CAME HOME.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IS A NEW PLACE IN NORTH COUNTY FOR BIKERS TO DROP OFF, JUMP IN CORNER.

ALEXANDER WYNNE SAID THE BADLY NEEDED PARK WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> Reporter: EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR.

THIS IS THE BIKE.. >> THEY LOOK REALLY COOL.

>> Reporter: THE EIGHT ACRE BIKE COURSE IN SAN MARCO'S INCLUDES A PARAMETER TRAIL AND JUMP LINES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS FROM BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED.

>> Reporter: WAY WORKS FOR A LONG TIME TO WORK ON A LOCATION IN NORTH COUNTY FOR SUCH AMENITIES.

>> Reporter: SUSIE MURPHY IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE SAN DIEGO MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAID PLANNING STARTED IN 2017 WHEN THEY FOUND SOME KIDS HAD BUILT UNSANCTIONED JUMP LINES IN A PROTECTED OPEN SPACE.

>> THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT SO THE CITY CONTACTED US AND CONTACTED SOME OF THE KIDS AND FAMILIES DIRECTLY ABOUT HOW WE COULD ENGAGE ON FINDING A REAL PLACE FOR AN OFFICIAL BIKE PARK IN SAN MARCO'S.

>> Reporter: THE PARK IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN NORTH COUNTY.

PREVIOUSLY, BIKERS WOULD HAVE TO GO TO SOUTH BY OR RIVERSIDE COUNTIES FOR AMENITIES LIKE THIS.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> WE ANTICIPATE SEVERAL HUNDREDS TO SEVERAL THOUSAND A DAY DEPENDING ON TIME OF YEAR AND WEATHER.

IT WILL BE A VERY POPULAR AMENITY WE ARE HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ESPECIALLY TO OUR SAN MARCO'S RESIDENCE.

>> Reporter: PARKS AND REC DIRECTOR MARK WILSON SAID IT'S A GREAT WAY FOR KIDS TO GET INVOLVED IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT SCHOOL IS OVER BUT THE INCOMING MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM CAPTAIN IS EYEING THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THE PARK RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

>> WE ARE THINKING ABOUT DOING A CUP OF THE TEAM SERIES WHICH IS MORE DOWNHILL ORIENTED.

WITH THIS PARTICULAR, WILL BE REALLY EASY TO PRACTICE.

IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO HELP US.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST BIKE CRACKED OPEN IN NORTH COUNTY, WON'T BE THE ONLY ONE.

TWO OTHERS ARE COMING.

ONE IS SET TO START CONSTRUCTION IN 2025 AND ONE IN ESCONDIDO IS THE BEGINNING STAGES THOUGH FUNDING HAS BEEN APPROVED.

ALEXANDER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CLOSING OUT, BLACK MUSIC MONTH IN THE REGION AS A FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL ARTISTS ACROSS MULTIPLE GENRES.

REPORTED JACOB HAS A PREVIEW OF THIS WEEKENDS SAN DIEGO PLACARDS AND CULTURE DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL.

NOMADIC -- >> >> Reporter: IT WILL BE A DAY FILLED WITH MUSIC, ART, AND CULTURE.

♪ I HAD NO CLUE THAT HE WOULD DO THIS.

>> Reporter: KENDRICK DIAL WILL BE PART OF THE SHOW WITH THE SOUND HE CALLS SPOKEN SOUL.

>> SILKEN SALT, IT'S JAZZ, IT'S HIP-HOP, ALL THESE ELEMENTS OF WHAT WE HISTORICALLY CALL BLACK MUSIC.

THERE IS A MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: THE MUSIC FESTIVAL IS HAPPENING JUST OUTSIDE OF THE BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT IN SAN DIEGO'S ENCANTO NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE INVENTS CURATED BY A GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING PRODUCER WHO TEACHES MUSIC AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS IS ALL TALENT.

>> Reporter: BESIDES KANDRA, THERE WILL BE LIVE PERFORMANCES FROM OTHER LOCAL ARTIST SAYS BUT JANINE, AND REBECCA JADE.

>> WE WILL HERE, AS I SAID, A NEO-SOUL SPOKEN WORD.

RYAN BIEK, JANINE CAME FROM SAINT STEPHEN'S CHURCH RIGHT UP THE HILL AND REBECCA, WITH HER WORLD TRAVELER, BRINGING IN HER OWN ORIGINAL MUSIC WHICH HAS MANY INFLUENCES.

>> Reporter: PLUS LOCAL FOOD VENDORS, DIGITAL ART DISPLAYS AND CULTURAL EXHIBITS.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS WHICH OVERSEES FUNDING IN THE DISTRICT.

HE SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST EVER BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE FESTIVAL IN HOPES IT BECOMES AN ANNUAL EVENT.

>> IT'S REALLY A TRIBUTE TO BLACK MUSIC MONTH, WHICH IS IN JUNE SO WE PIGGYBACK ON THAT TO CREATE A SEVEN.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS THE FESTIVAL TO UPLIFT AND INSPIRE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN THROUGH A SENSE OF FAMILY.

>> THE WHOLE PURPOSE IS TO BRING THE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE, ARTISTIC EXPRESSION AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BACK TO THE SPACE IN A REAL WAY.

>> IT'S A FREE EVENT FOR THE PUBLIC AND TAKES PLACE AT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY PARK THIS SATURDAY FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. JACOB, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK .

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.